Molecular analysis and chromosomal assignment of the canine CALC-I/alpha-CGRP gene.

We have isolated a recombinant phage harboring the canine CALC-I/alpha-CGRP gene. The gene spans a region of approx. 5.3 kb and consists of six exons with sizes ranging from 95 bp (exon 2) and 494 bp (exon 4). By alternative splicing, two transcripts with ORFs of 390 and 384 nt are generated. These encode either the 32-amino acid-long hormone calcitonin (CALC) or the neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP) with a length of 37 amino acids after proteolytic processing of precursor molecules. The canine calcitonin precursor consists of 130 amino acids with a molecular mass of 14.05 kDa and a statistical pI of 8.0, whereas the deduced alpha-CGRP precursor harbors 128 amino acids with a molecular mass of 13.87 kDa and a statistical pI of 8.6. Both polypeptides have a common N-terminal region of 76 amino acids that is encoded by exons 2 and 3 and separated by different eight (CALC) or six (alpha-CGRP) amino acid spacers from the biologically active polypeptide. The CALC-I/alpha-CGRP gene is a member of the calcitonin gene family and was assigned to chromosome CFA 16q25.1. A comparative analysis of different dog breeds revealed a breed-specific allelic d(CAGGAG)-hexanucleotide expansion in exon 3. This expansion results in an elongation of the common N-terminal region by two amino acids (glutamine-glutamic acid) and alters the molecular mass to 14.31 kDa (pI 7.9) and 14.13 kDa (pI 8.5) of the calcitonin and alpha-CGRP precursor, respectively.

La calidad de atención en el mercadeo comercial y social de los programas de planificación familiar en América Latina y el Caribe / La calidad de atención en el mercadeo comercial y social de los programas de planificación familiar en América Latina y el Caribe / Quality of family planning services programs in the Latin American business and social markets

Este artículo revisa la situación de la calidad de atención en el contexto del mercadeo comercial de los productos y servicios de planifiación familiar, con especial enfoque en el desarrollo de programas de mercadeo social de anticonceptivos (MSA) en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). Se observan los mecanismos comunes a todos los programas de mercadeo del sector comercial, en términos de lo adecuado de su respuesta a las inquietudes sobre la calidad de atención ofrecida por los programas de MSA al proporcionar productos y servicios de planificación familiar

An outbreak of molluscum contagiosum in a kibbutz.

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral disease that presents in a primary care setting as single or multiple wart-like lesions. We have seen an outbreak of Molluscum contagiosum in a small rural community, affecting 34 individuals. The most infected were children two-to nine-years-old. The diagnosis was made on clinical grounds. Spread appeared to be as a result of direct contact and by fomites. There was no evidence, in our study, of spread via swimming pool. Cryosurgery was used to treat our patients with Molluscum contagiosum.

La calidad de atención en el mercadeo comercial y social de los programas de planificacion familiar en América Latina y el Caribe / Quality of family planning services programs in the Latin Américan business and social markets

Este articulo revisa la situación de la calidad de atención en el contexto del mercadeo comercial de los productos y servicios de planificacion familiar, con especial enfoque en el desarrollo de programas de mercadeo social de anticonceptivos (MSA) en América Latina y el Caribe (ALC). Se observan los mecanismos comunes a todos los programas de mercadeo del sector comercial, en terminos de lo adecuado de su respuesta a las inquietudes sobre la calidad de atención ofrecida por los programas de MSA al proporcionar productos y servicios de planificacion familiar

[Proton spin tomography in childhood. Experience with 407 studies in 275 children and adolescents]. / Kernspintomographie im Kindesalter. Erfahrungen mit 407 Untersuchungen bei 275 Kindern und Jugendlichen.

Over a period of three years magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mostly neuroradiological, was performed 407 times in 275 children. It was found that MRI largely replaced previously applied imaging methods for solving oncological and neurological problems. The sensitivity of the method is poor for demonstrating small calcifications (computed tomography is better), for diffuse meningeal lesions (lumbar puncture is better), and diffuse spinal-canal metastases (myelography is better). The great advantage of the method lies in its low x-ray exposure because of the low field strength, and it can therefore be safely used repeatedly.

[Problems in fatal incidents using contrast media after computed tomography]. / Zur Problematik tödlicher Kontrastmittelzwischenfälle nach einer Computertomographie.

Referring to literature and our own cases (140.048 CT investigations--37% of them after intravenous application of contrast media) the possibility of decrease in consequence of contrast application is discussed.

[Efficiency and efficacy of neuroradiologic diagnosis of brain tumors]. / Leistungsfähigkeit und Auswirkungen der neuroradiologischen Hirntumor-Diagnostik.

Working as neuroradiologists for many years permits us to discuss the development of neuroradiological diagnosis in intracranial disease in adults measuring efficacy and efficiency by critical comparison with therapeutic results.

[Computer tomographic diagnosis of endocrine orbitopathy]. / Computertomographische Diagnostik der endokrinen Orbitopathie.

On the basis of 52 CT analyses of endocrine orbitopathy the involvement and changes in density and width of the orbital structures are worked out. The differential diagnostic value of CT in inflammatory, tumorous or vascular ophthalmopathy is discussed.

The value of CT in diagnosis and prognosis of different inborn neurodegenerative disorders in childhood.

Inborn errors of metabolism in 40 children have been investigated by computed tomography to obtain data on the degree of cerebral involvement in neurodegenerative and storage disorders: 20 children had various mucopolysaccharidoses, 8 sphingolipidoses , 3 mucolipidoses, 2 oligosaccharidoses , 3 ceroidlipofuscinoses and 4 had various leucodystrophies . Diagnosis in all patients except Alexander's disease was established by biochemical or histological means. The main findings on CT were cerebral atrophy with enlargement of the ventricles and the subarachnoid spaces and hypodensity of the white matter. The degree of cerebral atrophy seemed to develop according to the age of the patients, as could be seen from the patients with mucopolysaccharidosis III, metachromatic leucodystrophy and GM1-gangliosidosis. Hypodensity of the white matter was found in mucopolysaccharidosis I-H, II-B, VI, in mucolipidosis II and in patients with leucodystrophies . On the other hand, there was great variability in these CT findings even in siblings, as seen in four patients with mucopolysaccharidosis VI. Among the series there were several patients who did not show any abnormalities in CT, so that a negative CT did not exclude these disorders, even the leucodystrophies . CT features such as cerebral atrophy or hypodensity were helpful in the evaluation of these disorders, though a diagnosis could not be made by CT alone.

Cranial computed tomography in disorders of complex carbohydrate metabolism and related storage diseases.

Computed tomography (CT) was performed on 34 children with different disorders of complex carbohydrate metabolism and related storage diseases to obtain data on the degree of cerebral involvement. The main findings on CT were cerebral atrophy and hypodensity of the white matter. There was a great variability in these CT findings, even in siblings. Among the patients there were several in whom CT was normal, so a negative study does not exclude one of these disorders. These findings show that CT features such as cerebral atrophy or hypodensity are helpful in the evaluation of these disorders, though a diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of CT alone.

Lung metastasis of a meningioma.

UNLABELLED: Case report of a 35-year-old male patient. 1976: operation for a falx-meningioma. 1981: meningioma recurrence and further intracranial meningiomas. HISTOLOGY: 1976 and 1981 endotheliomatous meningioma: no signs of malignancy. Prior to the 2nd operation in 1981 a lung tumor was diagnosed for the first time. HISTOLOGY of the lung tumor: endotheliomatous meningioma, same histology as in cerebral meningiomas.

[Computed tomography and/or ventriculography? (author's transl)]. / Computer-Tomographie und/oder Ventrikulographie?

It is discussed if in intracranial tumors, especially in tumors of the posterior cranial fossa, a CT and/or a ventriculography should be practiced. We have made investigations of 134 patients, 93 of whom were children up to 14 years of age. Each case was undertaken computed tomography as well as ventriculography. The results are clearly demonstrating the superiority of computed tomography compared with ventriculography. Ventriculography is a surgical intervention stressing the patients, side-effects may occur, and sometimes serious complications are caused. Modern computed tomography is producing pictures of high quality, which are highly sufficient for neurosurgical intervention. Very rarely additional angiography has to be performed. The diagnosis of intracranial tumors can fully be established by computed tomography, whereas ventriculography is no longer necessary.

Do we need ventriculography in the era of computed tomography?

The question is posed whether in the investigation of intracranial tumors, particularly in the posterior cranial fossa, CT and/or ventriculography should be practiced. We investigated 134 patients (93 were children up to the age of 14 years), all of whom had had both computed tomography and ventriculography. The results clearly demonstrate the superiority of CT compared with ventriculography. Ventriculography is a surgical intervention with risk for the patient; side effects may occur and serious complications can sometimes arise. Modern CT is producing pictures of high quality which are entirely sufficient for neurosurgical intervention. Very rarely does additional angiography have to be performed. The diagnosis of intracranial tumor can be fully established by CT and ventriculography is no longer necessary.

Acoustic tumour detection with early auditory evoked potentials and neuroradiological methods.

A total of 43 patients with surgically identified acoustic neuromas were tested. Results of early auditory evoked potentials (EAEP) and of neuroradiological methods were analysed. Abnormal EAEPs were observed in all patients. In 73% of the cases the EAEP indicated the retrocochlear site of the lesion; in 27%, however, the results did not localize the exact site of the lesion owing to a lack of waves I, II and III due to a pronounced hearing loss. Neuroradiological procedures provided an indication of the site and extent of the tumour. The number of true positives was 21 of 29 cases with polytomography of the petrous bone, 23 of 28 with computed tomography and in all cases when pontine angle cisternography and computed tomography combined with gas cisternography were performed. The EAEPs provide a screening-test for acoustic tumour detection at an early stage. Wave abnormalities indicative of a lesion at the acoustic nerve should lead to a neuroradiological investigation and are particularly valuable in cases with small intracanalicular tumours.

[Risk of application of contrast medium in computed tomography (author's transl)]. / Das Kontrastmittel-Risiko bei der Computer-Tomographie.

The paper deals with the risk associated with the application of contrast medium in CT. The risk is to be seen in intolerance reactions, such as allergic or circulatory reactions and neurotoxic side-effects. In this paper the problems of renal failure caused by the injection of contrast medium are given special attention. Furthermore an iodine-induced hyperthyreosis might result. Especially the possible disturbance of the kidney function means that contrast medium should not be applied arbitrarily and that the examination should be done only by experienced staff. Furthermore the indication for the application of contrast medium in CT should be strictly qualified.

[Combined examination technique using air cisternography and computed tomography in tumours of the cerebellopontine angle (author's transl)]. / Die kombinierte Anwendung von Computertomographie und Luftzisternographie bei Kleinhirnbrückenwinkeltumoren.

The value of the combined examination technique "air cisternography/computed tomography" for the demonstration of acoustic neuromas described by Sortland is discussed reporting own cases of investigations.